Pets and Publishers / $2 / :25 / 40M / Knucklehead Press, PO Box 307663, Columbus OH 43230 / http://www.knuckleheadpress.com / A zine that was a long time in formulation, Knucklehead Press’ Pets and Publishers is a recounting by a number of other zinesters about their animals, past and present. Each zinester has a decidedly different style from the rest of the batch, and as such, makes for an excellent read. Some of the best pieces in this tome are those that discuss pets that have passed on. Thus, Chris and Jill’s recounting of Stuart Herbst should bring a tear to anyone who has ever owned a pets, and it is not only because of the simple companionship that this account is so poignant; for example, the relationships that the pet’s owners have with the pet itself goes so far beyond owner and toy; it is as if the pets are related by blood to the rest of the family. By having selections done by so many different genred zinesters – including pieces from JimTesta (Jersey Beat), Skorn (Terra Infirma – Vita Obscura) and Ericka (Pander Zine Distro), Chris and Jill show that regardless of background, that the love that people should have for pets is shared by a great deal of our community. More zines need to be done about living, breathing creatures or more zinesters should write in their own works about the affect that these pets have on them – if they don’t, one will not be able to truly have a complete idea about the person themselves. Pets are a part of a person just as much as going to a show, the job one works with, or even where they live – kudos to Chris and Jill for actually getting this together, and for doing this so brilliantly that I almost broke into tears.
